Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisIs Rheumatic Fever Treatable?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Is Rheumatic Fever Treatable?
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that develops when streptococcal A infections, such asstrep throat, scarlet fever, andcellulitis, aren’t properly treated. Rheumatic fever can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, painful joints, chest pain, and movement disturbances.
Rheumatic fever most often affects children, typically between ages 5 and 15, since strep infections are most common in this age group.While rare in the United States, it is a serious condition that can lead to rheumatic heart disease and other long-term complications if left untreated.
This article explains the causes and symptoms of rheumatic fever. It covers the possible complications that can result from untreated rheumatic fever, treatments, and more.
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What Are the Signs of Rheumatic Fever?
Rheumatic fever is thought to be an inflammatory immune response to a past infection. It can cause swelling in the heart, joints, brain, and skin, which can result in a variety of symptoms.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever may include:
Although rare, some people with rheumatic fever may develop painless lumps near joints, or a rash that has irregularly shaped pink rings with a clear center. This rash most often appears on the trunk, inner arms, and thighs. It is usually painless and non-itchy.
Symptoms of rheumatic fever usually start between one and five weeks after the initial illness.
Complications
Rheumatic fever may cause inflammation and scarring in the heart valves. As a result, the valves can weaken and leak. Left untreated, this can lead to heart failure. Some people may require heart surgery, which may result in death.
Sydenham chorea may also be considered a complication of rheumatic fever, even though it’s also one of the symptoms. Its symptoms are signs of neurological damage, which are typically not permanent.
Understanding Rheumatic Heart Disease
What Causes Rheumatic Fever?
Rheumatic fever typically occurs when a streptococcal infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever, goes untreated, causing bacteria to proliferate and trigger significant inflammation. While those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk, anyone can develop rheumatic fever.
Rheumatic fever is more common in parts of the developing world. In the United States, it’s most common in people who live in poverty and have limited access to proper medical care, but it is still considered rare overall.
Frequent and Rare Strep Throat Symptoms
Diagnosing Rheumatic Fever
Typically, the diagnosis comes after a recent strep infection when symptoms meet either two major criteria beloworone major and two minor criteria below.
Pain (arthritis) in several joints
Nodules under the skin
Quick, jerky movements
Rash
Minor CriteriaFeverAbnormal bloodworkJoint pain
Fever
Abnormal bloodwork
Joint pain
Tests your healthcare provider may order include:
Rheumatic fever has to be treated with antibiotics. The first round is intended to get rid of the current infection. Anti-inflammatory medications—such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and corticosteroids—may also be used to help manage symptoms.
Once the current infection is cleared up, you’ll take long-term antibiotics at low doses to prevent the disease from recurring, probably for at least five years.
Children typically continue this until they’re 21, but if they have heart problems from the illness, they may stay on the medication for life.
Summary
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory illness that can develop following a streptococcal infection. Symptoms usually develop within one to five weeks after the initial infection and may include fever, fatigue, painful joints, and a widespread rash. Left untreated, rheumatic fever can weaken and damage heart valves, and may lead to heart failure. A diagnosis of rheumatic fever is based on an evaluation of symptoms and tests that look for evidence of a previous streptococcal infection. To prevent complications, treatment will involve antibiotics, which may need to be taken long-term.
What to Know About Scarlet Fever
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatic fever: all you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rheumatic heart disease.Lahiri S, Sanyahumbi A.Acute rheumatic fever.Pediatr Rev. 2021 May;42(5):221-232. doi:10.1542/pir.2019-0288McMillan D, Rafeek R, Norton R, Good M, Sriprakash K, Ketheesan N.In search of the holy grail: A specific diagnostic test for rheumatic fever.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021 May;8(1):674805. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.674805Ralph A, Currie B.Therapeutics for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.Aust Prescr. 2022 Aug;45(4):104–112. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2022.034
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatic fever: all you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rheumatic heart disease.Lahiri S, Sanyahumbi A.Acute rheumatic fever.Pediatr Rev. 2021 May;42(5):221-232. doi:10.1542/pir.2019-0288McMillan D, Rafeek R, Norton R, Good M, Sriprakash K, Ketheesan N.In search of the holy grail: A specific diagnostic test for rheumatic fever.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021 May;8(1):674805. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.674805Ralph A, Currie B.Therapeutics for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.Aust Prescr. 2022 Aug;45(4):104–112. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2022.034
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatic fever: all you need to know.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rheumatic heart disease.Lahiri S, Sanyahumbi A.Acute rheumatic fever.Pediatr Rev. 2021 May;42(5):221-232. doi:10.1542/pir.2019-0288McMillan D, Rafeek R, Norton R, Good M, Sriprakash K, Ketheesan N.In search of the holy grail: A specific diagnostic test for rheumatic fever.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021 May;8(1):674805. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.674805Ralph A, Currie B.Therapeutics for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.Aust Prescr. 2022 Aug;45(4):104–112. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2022.034
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatic fever: all you need to know.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Group A streptococcal (GAS) disease.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rheumatic heart disease.
Lahiri S, Sanyahumbi A.Acute rheumatic fever.Pediatr Rev. 2021 May;42(5):221-232. doi:10.1542/pir.2019-0288
McMillan D, Rafeek R, Norton R, Good M, Sriprakash K, Ketheesan N.In search of the holy grail: A specific diagnostic test for rheumatic fever.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021 May;8(1):674805. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.674805
Ralph A, Currie B.Therapeutics for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.Aust Prescr. 2022 Aug;45(4):104–112. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2022.034
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